I really liked this book about a girl, Berry Jackson, just trying to grow up in a sleepy boring town. Well boring until her father goes missing, her mom starts acting strange, and she falls in love with a roadside jailbird. I think if Scout Finch (from To Kill a Mockingbird) and Berry Jackson knew each other they would have been the best of friends.

Thirteen year old Berry Jackson has more good sense that all the bible-thumping grown-ups in her hometown of Pinetta, FL. In the woods behind Berry's house are the swamp and the snakes and the quicksand, where men are said to have been swallowed up whole, leaving only a hat or a hankerchief as evidence.
As Hot As It Was You Ought To Thank Me tells the story of the long hot summer when Berry's father disappears, her mother lusts after the preacher, and a handsome convict comes to town to repair the dusty roads damaged by a hurricane.

This is a wonderful coming-of-age story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

It was a fun summer read to kill some time, but it pretty much took me nowhere. The ending was really abrupt and disappointing. I turned the page and couldn't believe that was it. Not all that satisfying.

I unique (enjoyable) view of small town life in instate Florida after WWII. Actually it could have been my town in middle Georgia in the mid '70's... some things always stay the same. Highly recommended

I really loved the feel of the setting in this book. The characters were intriguing.

Coming of age story in a small southern town. Very enjoyable.

Was a good read--comments on the back say, "Harper Lee would proudly claim it as her own" not sure that is true but its a good story set in the south.

Read All Book Reviews of "As Hot as It Was You Ought to Thank Me A Novel"

This story was very reminiscent of To Kill a Mockingbird. I loved getting a young female's perspective of the world around her, through her childish and innocent interpretations of the events and people surrounding her. It's a great read.

Great book... one of my favorites!

I love this book!

I really loved this book...

"[A] deliciously intimate portrayal of the sunstruck small town of Pinetta, Fla., as seen through the eyes of Berry, a 13-year-old trying to make sense of adult indiscretions and her own sexual awakening....[A] sticky, sultry gem."
Publishers Weekly (01/10/2005)

Loved this book. I don't think it's the kind of book that you read over and over but it is a very good book.

Read All Book Reviews of "As Hot as It Was You Ought to Thank Me A Novel"